Architectural structure



Sept. 20, 1966 c F, HUDDLE 3,273,574

ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

BY I M% 5 29 Sept. 20, 1966 c. F. HUDDLE 3,273,574

ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR United States Patent Claims. (Cl. 135-3) The present application is a division of US. patent application Serial No. 305,483, filed August 29, 1963, which is a continuation-impart application of my prior copending US. patent application Serial No. 286,563, filed June 10, 1963, for Tent Structure, now abandoned.

The present invention broadly relates to a novel architectural structure, and more particularly to a new architectural or building structure of a portable or semipermanent type which affords extreme simplicity and versatility in design and is of quick and simple erection and disassembly.

There has been a long-felt heretofore unfilled need for an architectural structure which affords to architects and designers flexibility in construction and aesthetic expression and which concurrently embodies simplicity, economy, as well as maximum versatility in use.

The general high cost of building construction of a permanent as well as semi-permanent type in addition to the general inadequacy of portable type building structures of the types heretofore known, has constituted a significant obstacle in the progress and expansion of many industries and other activities reliant on one form or another of shelter or protection from the outside elements. In accordance with the architectural structure comprising the present invention, it is now economically feasible to provide low-cost building structures which may be of a portable, semi-permanent, as well as permanent nature for any one of a variety of activities including exhibits, expositions, theatrical presentations, camping, meetings, housing, repair and maintenance facilities, medical services, eating facilities, storage facilities, entertainment, military camoufiaging or the like.

The advantages of the architectural structure comprising the present invention are particularly pronounced when employed as a portable building structure due to the extreme simplicity in its construction and the ease and speed of its erection and disassembly. In comparison, many portable type building structures of the types heretofore used or proposed for use have not found widespread acceptance due to the complexity of their construction, the difficulty in their erection and disassembly, the lack of flexibility and versatility in their design preventing their adaptation to changes in use, as well as their high cost in both construction, erection, and disassembly.

It is accordingly, a principal object of the present invention to fulfill a long-felt, heretofore unfilled need for an architectural structure which overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with building structures of the types heretofore known.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new archiectural structure which is of simple design, which provides maximum versatility and flexibility in configuration and size, which is of simple and economical construction and erection, and which can readily be disassembled into compact units which can be easily transported to the next erection site.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel architectural structure incorporating a pinrality of structural components which can be moved individually or collectively after the structure has been erected to effect desired variations in the contour and configuration of the structure providing optimum flexibility in the freedom of personal expression of the architect or designer and for additionally modifying the shape of the structure to best adapt it to the specific activity to be performed achieving thereby optimum utilization of the sheltered space.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by an architectural structure comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted arches at least a portion of the peripheral lengths thereof are interconnected and are movable to and from a lowered position to a raised position angularly inclined relative to the ground responsive to the separating movement of the arches relative to each other. A suitable flexible roofing material of an impervious nature and/or of an open lattice work is secured to and extends between the arch members which on erection defines the roof contour of the structure. The resultant configuration or contour of the architectural structure can be varied consistent with the specific configuration of each of the arches employed, the number of arches used, their disposition rela' tive to each other, and the angularity of their inclination realtive to the ground as established :by the degree of separating movement between adjacent arches comprising the structure.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective artistic view of a typical architectural structure incorporating the embodiments of the present invention and illustrating its use as a restaurant or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the framework of an architectural structure incorporating three arches including extensible means for effecting relative separating movement of each of the arches;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the framework of the architectural structure shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view partly in section illustrating the mechanism by which controlled extensibility of the arches is achieved in the structure shown in FIGURE 3 as viewed substantially along the line d4- thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative satisfactory mechanism for effecting extension of the arch members;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 5 and taken substantially along the line 6--6 thereof;

FIGURE 7 is an architectural structure employing four arches positioned in longitudinally aligned relationship providing therewith an elongated structure;

FIGURE 8 is an architectural structure similar to that shown in FIGURE 7 employing an arch arrangement in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of an architectural structure employing an independently pivotable auxiliary arch and wherein the auxiliary central arch is extensible providing for further variations in the configuration of the structure.

Referring now in detailto the drawings and as may be best seen in FIGURE 1, an architectural structure constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in the erected or assembled condition for use as a shelter or housing for an eating facility and the like. The principle comprising the present invention as embodied in the structure shown in FIGURE 1 is equally applicable to structures of a size ranging from relatively small, one-person shelters to comparatively large structures ranging in size from 30,000 to 40,000 square feet and larger, suitable for use such as for auditoriums, hospitals, repair depots, etc., employing two or more arch members with roofing materials of an impervious flexible or open lattic srtucture as well as roofing materials of a substantially permanent nature. The archtiectural structure as shown in FIGURE 1 comprises a pair of arcuate arch members 34 the leg portions of which are secured to extensible members 31 such as fiuid actuated cylinders which are pivotally connected as their lower ends to a support frame 32 and extend outwardly therefrom at a suitable angularly inclined position defining the terminal edges of the structure. The peripheral portions of the arch members 30 are connected to a suitable roofing material 34 which extends therebetween and is maintained under controlled tension defining the roof line of the structure. Further rigidity of the structure is achieved, if desired, by employing suitable anchoring means such as columns or cables 36 which are connected to the arch members 30 at one end thereof and to the ground at the opposite ends thereof restraining further angular pivoting movement of the arch members and maintaining the roofing material 34 under the prescribed tension.

The architectural structure as shown in FIGURE 1 may suitably be employed to house an eating facility employing a counter indicated at 38 positioned beneath the extended roofing material 34. Further protection from the outside elements and/or enhancement of the aesthetic characteristics of the structure can be achieved by employing suitable side walls or side curtains 40 extending around all or a portion of the open ends of the structure and suspended from the arch members 30. The side walls or curtains 40 may alternatively be of a structural material and anchored at the lower ends thereof so as to serve as restraining means in lieu of employing the columns or cables 36. The simplicity in design and versatility of use of the structure as shown in FIGURE 1 are further enhanced by the simplicity in construction and ease of erection and disassembly of the structure as will be hereinafter described in connection with FIGURES 2-9.

Anyone of a number or variety of suitable roofing materials can be employed for defining the roof contour of the structure and may alternatively be of an impervious or open lattice type structure consistent with the intended end use of the structure and the aesthetic appearance desired. Woven fabrics, plastic films, plastic coated fabrics, reinforced plastic films, etc., can be employed for this purpose and may be opaque, translucent, or transparent or combinations thereof, and/or of decorative colors to provide the desired aesthetic appearance. The covering materials may also comprise suitable preformed panels which are adapted to be connected to the arch members either before or after erection to effect a closure of all or a portion of the structure. Conventionally, the covering material is afiixed to the arch members when the architectural structure is in the lowered position and is tensioned into the appropriate contour during movement of the arch members to the raised angularly inclined position.

The covering material itself may comprise the connecting means between the intermediate sections of the arch members if of sufficient strength or may be supplemented if desired such as by means of a net material or cables. The covering material as well as the net material and cables may possess resilient characteristics allowing a limited degree of stretching thereof under tension so as to better conform with the contour of the structure providing a smooth roof line.

If desired, the interconnecting means or covering material between the arch members can be detached therefrom to facilitate transport of the structure and quickly attach thereto by means of zippers, quick connectors of the types well known in the art, and the like, while the structure is in the collapsed position. The restraining members may also be staked or otherwise attached to the ground while the structure is in the collapsed position or can be affixed after the structure has been raised.

Erection of the architectural structure employing means of the type shown in FIGURE 1 is simply achieved by introducing a pressurized fluid from a suitable source into the fluid ports at the blank end of the cylinders 31 applying a separating force to the bight sections and leg sections of the arch members tending to cause them to move apart. This separating force and movement of the arch members is restrained by the means interconnecting the arch members including the roofing material 34 which applies a counter-force or torque effecting angular swinging movement of the arch members from a lowered position toward a raised position during the initial separating movement of the arch members. When positioned in a substantially coplanar position, it is desirable to slightly tilt one of the arch members in order that the tensioning of the covering means extending between the bight portions of the arches acts through a line spaced from the axes of pivoting movement of the arch members. Alternatively, the arch members may be formed with a bight portion which is slightly upturned along the ends thereof such that the force resulting from the tensioning of the roofing material is laterally spaced from the axes of pivoting movement of the arch members. In either event, once angular tilting movement of the arch is achieved, this movement continues until the arches attain a preselected angularity as controlled by the separating movement of the bifurcated legs thereof.

It will be appreciated that the angularity of the arch members 30 need not be substantially identical to achieve symmetry of the structure. One of the arch members, for example, may be elevated to a greater angle whereas the opposite arch member may be elevated to a lesser angle to obtain the desired aesthetic contour of the structure and the requisite headroom as may be required, depending on the use to which the structure is to be subjected. Variations in the angular disposition of the arched members is also desirable and constitutes a further advantage of the structure comprising the present invention enabling the configuration of the structure to be varied consistent with prevailing weather and wind conditions so as to provide optimum shelter and stability of the unit. Such variations in the angularity of the opposing arches can simply be achieved by controlling the lengths of the restraining cables 36 if employed, or alternatively, by varying the relative outward movement of the cylinders 31. It will also be appreciated that angular swinging movement of the arch members can be achieved by applying a separating force to only one of the arch members whereupon the tensioning of the connecting means or roof covering means effects a corresponding controlled swinging movement of the pivotally mounted opposite arch member.

The architectural structure is simply disassembled by reversing the steps of erection as hereinbefore set forth whereupon the structure again assumes the collapsed position. In this posit-ion the covering material can be removed if desired, facilitating transport of the structure to the next erection site.

The versatility of the structure as hereinabove described provided by the variations in the angularity of the opposing arch members can be further supplemented by employing arch member configurations of any one of a variety of different shapes to provide the desired aesthetic effect such as, for example, elliptical arch members, triangular-shaped arch members as well as combinations thereof; providing extreme versatility of the structure and free expression of aesthetic appearance by the designer.

Still additional variations in the configuration and contour of the architectural structure can be achieved by employing a plurality of arches arranged in any one of a variety of patterns such as a three arch structure indicated at 130 in FIGURES 2 and 3. For the purposes of clarity, the covering material has been removed to reveal the interconnecting relationship between the various components thereof. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 the architectural structure 130 comprises three triangular arch members 132 having the lower ends thereof terminating in or connected to a piston 134 mounted for sliding reciprocatory movement in a cylinder 136. The blank end of the cylinder 136 as best seen in FIG- URE 4 is pivotally connected to a suitable mounting bracket 138 positioned on or otherwise aflixed to the ground or platform supporting the structure. The arch members 132 are interconnected by a suitable covering material or as specifically shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 by interconnecting means comprising cables 140 which may be suitably connected centrally of the structure such as by means of a ring 142.

The structure 130 is adapted to be positioned in a collapsed position with the arch members 132 positioned substantially fiat along the ground and in which position the interconnecting means such as the cables 140 and covering material (not shown) is affixed to the arch members. Thereafter, a separating force is applied between the arch members by an extension thereof in response to the introduction of a pressurized fluid through a port 144 in the blank end of the cylinders 136 effecting outward reciprocatory movement of the piston 134 and the leg of the arch member connected thereto. The corresponding elongation of the arch member effects a tensioning of the interconnecting means such as the cables 140 applying thereby a torque about the axes of pivoting movement of the arch members causing them to pivot toward an angularly raised position as shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3.

As hereinbefore set forth, it is desirable to impart an initial tilt to at least one of the arch members to move them out of planar alignment during the initial application of the separating force facilitating angular swinging movement of the arch members to the raised position. While in the raised position, the architectural structure may be rigidified by employing suitable restraining members such as the members 36 shown in FIGURE 1 connected to and extending from the bight portions of the arch members.

An alternative satisfactory means of effecting extensibility of the arch members imparting a separating force thereto is illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6. As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, a guide sleeve 146 corresponding to the lower leg portion of an arch member is pivotally connected by means of a pin 148 to a bracket 150 adapted to be positioned or aflixed to the ground or platform on which the structure is mounted. The leg portion 146 is of a channel-shaped cross section as shown in FIGURE 6 incorporating inwardly extending end flanges which are adapted to overlie and slidably guide a correspondingly shaped section of an arch member 152 slidably disposed therein. Longitudinal sliding movement of the arch member 152 relative to the leg portion 146 is achieved by means of a threaded shaft 154 rotatably afl'ixed at one end thereof to a web 156 stationarily mounted in the leg portion 146 and having the threaded shank end portion thereof in threaded engagement with a nut 158 affixed to the arch member 152. Suitable means such as a T-handle 160 connected by a universal joint to the opposite end of the threaded shaft 154 provides for rotation thereof effecting corresponding longitudinal movement of the nut along the threaded shaft and corresponding movement of the arch member relative to the leg portion 146.

The arch members of the architectural structures comprising the present invention may be of any suitable construction and material so as to provide the requisite strength for holding the covering material under sufficient tension to maintain the appropriate contour of the building structure. Preferably relatively light weight materials are employed which in structures of relatively large size may be of a segmented construction. The use of a segmented arch member is particularly desirable in structures of relatively large size which are frequently disassembled and transported to a new erection site. It will also be appreciated that the arch members of the structures comprising the present invention preferably are designed so as to embody some flexibility therein enabling a deflection or warping thereof so as to provide a more uniform tensioning of the covering material connected thereto.

Multiple arch structures 'for use particularly in connection with relatively large size enclosures may also be achieved by employing a plurality of longitudinally aligned arch members in accordance with the arrangements as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The structures as illustrated in these figures comprise combinations of the two arch structures hereinbefore described arranged so as to provide an elongated sheltered area. An architectural structure indicated at is illustrated in FIGURE 7 and comprises a pair of oppositely extending central arch members 182 pivotally mounted on a common supporting frame 184 and a pair of terminal arch members 186 pivotally mounted on longitudinally spaced supporting frames 188. The erection of the architectural structure 180 can simply be accomplished by placing the central arch members and terminal arch members relatively flat along the ground or supporting platform and in appropriate longitudinally spaced relationship whereby the roofing material can be conveniently afiixed thereto. The structure is thereafter raised in a manner as hereinbefore described by applying relative separating movement between the central arch members 182 and outward separating member of the terminal arch members 186 as applied at the supporting frames 184 and 188, respectively.

A similar type architectural structure is indicated at 190 in FIGURE 8 comprising two structures of the type shown in FIGURE 1 disposed in longitudinally spaced alignment and interconnected to a common roofing material. One end unit comprises arch members 192 pivotally connected to a supporting frame 194 whereas the opposite end unit comprises arch members 196 pivotally connected to supporting frame 198.

Further flexibility and versatility of architectural structures in accordance with the present invention providing for increased headroom as may be required in accordance with the activity to be performed or the nature and size of the objects to be sheltered thereunder can be achieved by employing one or a plurality of auxiliary arch members which are disconnected from the covering or roofing material and can be raised or lowered independently of the terminal lifting arch members.

As shown in FIGURE 9, an auxiliary arch member 248 is pivotally mounted to a supporting frame 250 on which a pair of terminal arch members 252 are pivotally and guidably supported for separating movement. The auxiliary arch member 248 is extensible providing for a controlled variation in its length so as to adjust the central headroom of the structure. Extensibility of the auxiliary arch member 248 is achieved by forming the ends thereof with leg sections 254 in which the ends of the big-ht section 256 of the auxiliary arch member are slidably disposed and are movable relative thereto in a manner and by a device such as previously described in connection with FIGURE 4. The central auxiliary arch member 248 is formed with rollers 242 or other suitable antifriction devices to facilitate movement of the auxiliary larch member from a lowered position to a raised position as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 9. The use of the auxiliary arch member in combination with the terminal arch members 252 enables a further increase in headroom as may be required to clear the various obstructions such as the bridge of a cruiser illustrated in silhouette when the terminal arch members are in a lowered position .as shown in phantom providing increased protection from the outside environment. The auxiliary arch member can be suitably retained in the elevated or raised position by means of cables or other suitable tension means 244 connected thereto and suitably affixed to either the surrounding structure or by means of a weighted object such as an anchor.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An architectural structure comprising a frame, a pair of arch members each comprising a pair of transversely spaced leg portions connected by an intermediate bight section adapted to be positioned in opposed relationship and with respective ones of said leg portions pivotally mounted on said frame for angular swinging movement of said arch members to and from a first position and a second position angularly spaced from said first position, connecting means extending between and connected to said intermediate bight sections of said arch members, each said leg portion including extensible means for providing a controlled expansion and contraction of said arch members, and means for actuating said extensible means effecting -a controlled expansion and separating movement of said bight sections of said arch members and a corresponding tensioning of said connecting means resulting in the application of a torque to said arch members effecting pivoting movement thereof between said first position and said second position.

2. An architectural structure comprising a frame, a plurality of arch members each comprising a pair of transversely spaced leg portions connected by an intermediate bight section pivotally mounted on said frame for swinging movement to and from a first position and a second position angularly spaced from said first position, each said leg portion of at least one of said arch membersincluding extensible means for providing a controlled expansion and contraction of the length of at least said one of said arch members, and means for actuating said extensible means effecting a controlled expansion and separating movement of said bight sections of said arch members and a corresponding tensioning of said connecting means resulting in the application of a torque to said arch members effecting pivoting movement thereof between said first and said second positions.

3. An architectural structure comprising the (frame, a pair of arch members each comprising a pair of transversely spaced leg portions connected by an intermediate bight section and adapted to be positioned in opposed relationship, each said leg portion pivotally mounted on said frame providing for angular swinging movement of said arch members to and from a first position and a second position angularly spaced from said first position, each said leg portion of at least one of said arch members including extensible means comprising a fluid actuated cylinder and piston assembly for effecting a controlled expansion and contraction of at least said one of said arch 8 members, and means for supplying a pressurized actuating fluid to said cylinder and piston assembly effecting a controlled expansion and separating movement of said bight sections of said arch members and a corresponding tensioning of said connecting means resulting in the application of a torque to said arch members effecting pivoting movement thereof from said first position to said second position.

4. An architectural structure comprising a frame, a pair of arch members each comprising a pair of transversely spaced leg portions connected by an intermediate bight section and disposed with their bight sections in oppositely extending relationship, each said leg portion pivotally connected to said frame providing for angular swinging movement of said arch members, to and from a first position and a second position angularly spaced from said first position, each said leg portion of at least one of said arch members including extensible means for providing controlled elongation and contraction of at least said one of said arch members, said extensible means comprising mechanical jack means actuab le to effect a controlled elongation of said leg portions of at least said one of said arch members effecting relative separating movement between said bight sections and a corresponding tensioning of said connecting means resulting in the application of a torque to said arch members effecting pivoting movement thereof between said first position and said second position.

5. A11 architectural structure comprising a frame including a plurality of arch members mounted for pivotalble movement to and from a first position and a second position angularly spaced from said first position, connecting means extending between and connected to said arch members at locations spaced outwardly of the axes of pivoting movement of said arch members, means for applying a force of said arch members in a direction to effect relative separating movement thereof and a tensioning of said connecting means in response to their opposition to said separating movement effecting relative an-gula-r pivoting movement of said larch members between said first and said second position, at least one auxiliary arch pivot ally mounted on said frame for angular swinging movement between the plurality of said arch members and adjustably positionable for supporting said connecting means intermediate said arch members, said auxiliary arch including extensible means thereon for selectively adjusting the length thereof, and restraining means connected to said larch members for limiting the angular movement thereof beyond said second position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,085,586 4/ 1963 McDonough 4 3,160,435 12/1964- Smith 5263 X 3,191,717 6/1965 Hiyama 1'8263 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

L. J. SANTISI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE COMPRISING A FRAME, A PAIR OF ARCH MEMBERS EACH COMPRISING A PAIR OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED LEG PORTIONS CONNECTED BY AN INTERMEDIATE BIGHT SECTION ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP AND WITH RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID LEG PORTIONS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR ANGULAR SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARCH MEMBERS TO AND FROM A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION ANGULARLY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST POSITION, CONNECTING MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO SAID INTERMEDIATE BIGHT SECTIONS OF SAID ARCH MEMBERS, EACH SAID LEG PORTION INCLUDING EXTENSIBLE MEANS FOR PROVIDING A CONTROLLED EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF SAID ARCH MEMBERS, AND MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID EXTENSIBLE MEANS EFFECTING A CONTROLLED EXPANSION AND SEPARATING MOVEMENT OF SAID BIGHT SECTIONS OF SAID ARCH MEMBERS AND A CORRESPONDING TENSIONING OF SAID CONNECTING MEANS RESULTING IN THE APPLICATION OF A TORQUE TO SAID ARCH MEMBERS EFFECTING PIVOTING MOVEMENT THEREOF BETWEEN SAID FIRST POSITION AND SAID SECOND POSITION. 